System, tire, wheel, vehicle, and method for determining the behavior of a tire in motion

ABSTRACT

A system for determining interaction between a tire and a contact surface during movement of a motor vehicle includes at least one first sensor and processing means. The at least one first sensor includes one or more first elongated piezoelectric elements which extend along at least a first portion of the tire. The at least one first sensor supplies a first signal to the processing means. The first signal is generated by rotation of the tire and is generated cyclically with each revolution of the tire. The processing means detects variations in time intervals between distinctive elements of the first signal. A tire including the system, a kit for detecting behavior of a tire moving with respect to a contact surface, a method for monitoring events correlated with interactions between tires of a moving vehicle and a contact surface, and related systems, tires, methods, and vehicles are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 fromInternational Application No. PCT/EP01/02900, filed Mar. 14, 2001, inthe European Patent Office, the contents of which are relied upon andincorporated herein by reference; additionally, Applicants claim theright of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) based on patentapplication Ser. No. 00830198.8, filed Mar. 16, 2000, in the EuropeanPatent Office, patent application Ser. No. 00830416.4, filed Jun. 9,2000, in the European Patent Office, and patent application Ser. No.00202649.0, filed Jul. 25, 2000, in the European Patent Office; further,Applicants claim the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) based onprovisional application No. 60/212,635, filed Jun. 19, 2000, in the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office, provisional application No. 60/219,696,filed Jul. 21, 2000, in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, andprovisional application No. 60/222,921, filed Aug. 4, 2000, in the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and tyre for the continuousdetermination of the interaction between a tyre and the ground duringthe movement of a motor vehicle.

The present invention also relates to a method for the continuousdetermination of the behaviour of a tyre, and of the vehicle equippedwith the said tyre, as it moves along the road.

More particularly, the present invention relates to methods fordetecting an interaction between at least one moving tyre and a contactsurface; for detecting the behaviour of at least one tyre moving withrespect to a contact surface; for enabling a tyre to generate andtransmit a signal descriptive of its own behaviour when moving withrespect to a contact surface; for enabling a tyre mounted on a wheel rimto generate a signal descriptive of its own behaviour when moving withrespect to a contact surface; for manufacturing a wheel inclusive of atyre, rim and sensor, that is capable of generating a signal descriptiveof the behaviour of the tyre when moving with respect to a contactsurface; for monitoring the behaviour of a moving vehicle mounted onwheels; for controlling the behaviour of a moving vehicle mounted onwheels; for quantifying the magnitude of an event caused by aninteraction between at least one moving tyre and a contact surface; formonitoring the structural uniformity of a tyre; and for detectingdeflation of a tyre.

The present invention also relates to:

-   -   a kit for detecting the behaviour of a tyre mounted on a rim and        moving with respect to a contact surface,    -   a vehicle wheel that includes tyre, rim and device for detecting        the behaviour of the tyre moving with respect to a contact        surface, and    -   a vehicle that includes body, suspension, at least one wheel        fitted with a tyre and optionally at least one device for        controlling the behaviour of the moving vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

During the movement of a motor vehicle, a knowledge of the operatingconditions of a tyre makes it possible to determine the actions to betaken to control and regulate the behaviour of the motor vehicle. Inparticular, it is useful to know the condition of skidding or absence ofskidding of the tyre and the variation of the available adhesion withrespect to a reference condition, in order to activate, for example,devices to prevent brake locking (antiskid or ABS devices), devices toprevent skidding in acceleration, active suspension, etc.

It is a known practice in the state of the art to use systems designedto detect the interaction between a tyre moving on a given contactsurface and the surface itself in order to extract information about thebehaviour of the tyre and/or about a particular condition of operationof a tyre and, more generally, about the behaviour of a vehicle fittedwith this tyre.

Of these systems, one type comprises systems based on the use of sensorsthat supply continuous signals representing the values of particularparameters of the tyre, such as sensors of pressure, of temperature andof localized deformation.

This type includes the extensometers, that is so-called strain gagesensors, e.g. prismatic elements of a piezoelectric or magnetic polymerinserted into the tread of the tyre to detect localized deformations ofthe tread in the footprint.

EP-B1-0 444 109 describes a method for controlling the movement of amotor vehicle provided with tyres which interact with the ground to formcorresponding footprints, comprising the steps of

-   -   monitoring the behaviour of the footprints and generating at        least one corresponding footprint signal indicating the        behaviour of the footprint, and    -   using at least one footprint signal to monitor the movement of        the motor vehicle,    -   detecting at least one driving control signal generated by the        driver of the motor vehicle, and    -   processing at least one driving control signal in dependence on        at least one footprint signal in order to control the movement        of the motor vehicle.

To detect this behaviour of the footprints, this method makes use ofpiezoelectric extensometers embedded in the tread strip because theyhave to detect the deformations in the footprint. This causessignificant disadvantages both in the construction of such a tyre and inthe measurement of the deformations.

This is because piezoelectric extensometers are formed frompiezoresistive rubber strips, and a piezoelectric or piezoresistiverubber is not an elastomer, but a plastic material, and therefore givesrise to problems of compatibility with the rubber of the tread (becauseof the different moduli and different adhesion capacities) as well asproblems of fastening.

The applicant has also observed that the aforesaid method detects onlythe deformations of the tread strip within the footprint, so that allother deformations occurring in a moving tyre are disregarded. Finally,the applicant has also observed that the deformations of the footprintcannot be correlated in a one-to-one way with the deformations of thetyre.

Similarly the prior art includes systems designed to obtain specificinformation on the behaviour and/or condition of the tyre, such as todescribe the overall situation of the complete tyre rather than, as istypical of the aforementioned detection systems, of a localized portionof the tyre.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,240 relates to a device capable ofdetecting the longitudinal force acting on a vehicle tyre caused by thetorsional deformation of the tyre itself, in order to control tyre slipdue to a positive or negative acceleration of the vehicle. According tothis patent the determination of this longitudinal force can also beused to monitor the inflation pressure of the tyre. The device has asupporting structure integral with the vehicle's brake calliper andcomprises at least one pair of sensors arranged radially in fixedpositions, one on the outside and the other on the inside, i.e. at agreater and at a shorter distance from the axis of rotation of thewheel. On the side facing the vehicle the wheel is fitted with at leastone pair of position marks, a radially outer mark and a radially innermark, at different distances from the axis of rotation. The passing ofthese marks is detected by the said sensors which measure, in the periodof time lapsing between their passage, the torsional deformation of thetyre, from which, as indicated, the longitudinal force acting on thetyre can be calculated. The signals obtained by this means are sent to aprocessing unit which warns the driver of the vehicle if the tyre is ina condition of slip and, optionally, also of the state of inflation ofthe tyre.

A different type of detection system comprises systems based on the useof sensors that supply discontinuous cyclical signals representative ofparticular events during the running of the tyre, such as, for examplesensors that indicate when they enter and/or leave the footprint of thetyre.

EP-A1-0 887 211 describes a tyre monitoring system comprising a sensorlocated within the tyre and enabled to create an electrical pulse whenthe said sensor passes through the footprint formed by the contact ofthe tyre with the ground during rolling. The system of this patentapplication also comprises means for determining the ratio of the saidelectrical pulse to the duration of one revolution of the tyre and meansfor transmitting the said ratio to a processing unit within the vehicle.

In particular, the sensor is a deformation indicator, for example anextensometer, possibly made from piezoelectric material, located withinthe tyre in such a way that the said electrical pulse has a first peakat the point when the sensor enters the footprint and a second peak atthe point of exit from the footprint. The sensor therefore detects theinstant of entry into the footprint and the instant of exit from thisarea, and, according to the teaching of this patent, the ratio betweenthe time elapsed between the two peaks and the time of a completerevolution of the tyre can be used to determine the flattening of thetyre during the movement of the vehicle. This is because, if the angularvelocity of the tyre and its radius are known, it is possible to measurethe length of the footprint. The length of the footprint is thereforerelated to the flattening of the tyre, which is a critical parameter ofthe tyre in operation, particularly in tyres for heavy goods vehicles.

Another type of detection system comprises systems based on the use of asensor that supplies a cyclical and continuous signal about thebehaviour of a single point of the moving tyre. This sensor is typicallyan accelerometer.

A plurality of the said sensors are attached to individual separatepoints on the tyre, and the abovementioned systems are designed to workout the behaviour of a tyre and/or of a vehicle from the description ofthe movement in space and time of the said points.

Each of the said sensors supplies a signal which is cyclical, in thesense that it repeats itself at each revolution of the tyre, iscontinuous in time and is descriptive of the movement of the singlepoint to which the sensor is attached.

The data acquired by the abovementioned system are claimed to be usefulfor intervening on the motor vehicle's controls (ABS, activesuspensions, etc.) and modifying its behaviour, e.g. during braking,accelerating, skidding and the like.

Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,286 relates to a system and method forextracting data relating to a vehicle comprising the following steps:

-   -   detecting parameters regarding the behaviour of the vehicle from        the inside of a tyre mounted on the vehicle wheel,    -   digitizing the said data inside the tyre and transmitting them        out of the tyre at predetermined intervals,    -   shortening these predetermined intervals if the parameters        change by a predetermined percentage,    -   receiving these data at a point external to the tyre,    -   comparing these data with preset values for each of the said        parameters,    -   showing the said data, and    -   activating an alarm when these data, for each of the said        parameters, exceed a preset limit.

One of the sensors for detecting the said parameters is a vibrationsensor which can be a piezoelectric element, of undefined type, whichemits an electrical voltage signal as its impedance varies (col. 12,lines 26-29). All the sensors form part of a module fitted to eachwheel. The Applicant has observed that the abovementioned methodsimilarly requires the acquisition of information from separate pointsof the tyre.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Applicant has observed that the prior-art systems exhibit intrinsiclimitations which do not allow the ideal monitoring of an event relatingto a moving vehicle.

To go into more detail, the Applicant has established that although thesensor of the first type, which supplies a signal descriptive of alocalized deformation of the tread in the footprint, supplies acontinuous signal, it does not allow significant information to beextracted on the state of mechanical stress of the complete tyre.Specifically, a comparison between the signals supplied at twosuccessive moments does not in itself yield any useful information onthe state of deformation of the complete tyre and of the vehicle'sbehaviour on the road.

The second type of system for detecting the interaction between the tyreand the contact surface is based on an analysis of the movements ofindividual points of the tyre.

The Applicant has established that not even these detection systems givea global representation of the state of mechanical stress of thecomplete tyre. The Applicant has in fact observed that it is importantto know at every instant the global state of mechanical stress of thecomplete tyre in order to be able to predict the arrival (earlydiagnosis) of significant events (changes in the conditions of movement)concerning the tyre/road interaction or concerning the condition of thetyre. This information is also important in order to detect when thesaid events and/or the said condition of the tyre reach preset limits.

It has now been found that the state of interaction between a tyre andthe ground can be determined with a system and a tyre comprising atleast one piezoelectric sensor associated with a plurality of pointsforming part of any portion of the tyre, such as a predeterminedcircumference of the tyre.

The points of the said plurality are typically consecutive.

It has also been found that the abovementioned sensor makes it possibleto monitor the structural uniformity of a tyre.

In the present description and in the claims, the term “distinctiveelements” indicates peaks, rectangular waves, and the like.

Additionally, the term “elongate piezoelectric element” is used todenote a piezoelectric element whose length is at least 2 times,preferably at least 3 times, and even more preferably at least 5 timesgreater than its width or diameter. Preferably, the length of the said“elongate piezoelectric element” is at least 30 mm, since otherwise itwould not be sufficiently sensitive to the variations of deformationundergone by any one portion of the tyre during its rotation.

The said “elongate piezoelectric element” advantageously extends for anarc of at least 90°, preferably 180° and still more preferablyapproximately 360°, of the circumference of the tyre.

The term “continuous” is used to denote a signal emitted by a sensorcontinuously throughout the cycle of revolution of the tyre even whenthe sensor does not extend all the way around the circumference of thetyre and when the portion of tyre to which the sensor is attached is notactually in the footprint. The said continuous signal is preferably alsodescriptive of the state of global stress of the tyre, that is to say ofthe energy associated with it during its movement in time.

The term “cyclical” is used to indicate that each distinctive element ofthe signal occurs on each revolution of the tyre. Their structure (theshape of particular peaks or particular waves, amplitude of particularpeaks or particular waves, distance between one particular peak andanother particular peak or between one particular wave and anotherparticular wave, etc.) varies from cycle to cycle and even within thesame cycle in response to changes in the mechanical stresses acting onthe sensor. These mechanical stresses acting on the sensor may be duefor example to the interaction between the tyre and the ground, or toexpansions due to a change in the temperature of the tyre itself.

The length of the sensor determines the degree of resolution of thesignal emitted. Preliminary laboratory data indicate that when thelength of the sensor is sufficient to express the state of stress of thecomplete tyre, the value of resolution of the signal emitted is of theorder of 0.05 mV.

The Applicant has also devised a method for monitoring an event relatingto a vehicle moving on a given contact surface, on the basis of which,by using at least one elongate piezoelectric element attached to atleast one tyre or to at least one wheel of the said vehicle, it ispossible to detect a continuous and cyclical signal of the interactionbetween the said tyre or tyres and the said contact surface, and toprocess this signal in such a way as to derive a numerical valuerepresenting the magnitude of the said event.

For the purposes of this description and of the claims that follow, theterm “event” is used to refer to a change in the conditions under whichthe vehicle is moving or to the conditions of use of at least one of itstyres. The term is intended to include, for example, changes to theconditions of the road surface (from dry to wet, or from smooth torough), a change in the state of stress of the tyre due toacceleration/deceleration of the vehicle or to a transition from linearmovement to curvilinear movement and vice versa, wear of the tyre tread(or of part of the said tread) deflation of the tyre, a variation in theefficiency of the vehicle suspension system, and the like.

The Applicant has also observed that the method according to the presentinvention makes it possible to extract or select from the signal,produced by the said sensor or sensors, at least one range offrequencies that are significant for a description of the predeterminedevent which it is wished to monitor.

In particular, the Applicant has found that:

-   -   if a frequency analysis is performed on the signal emitted by        the sensor in a defined time interval, the result is a spectrum        of frequencies whose periods and amplitudes can be related to        specific events in the state of movement of the tyre and/or        vehicle during that interval;    -   the content of the said signal in terms of frequencies contains        in itself, and describes, the information relating to events        that affect the tyre during the time interval under        consideration;    -   the information extracted as above can be associated with        numerical values (indices) descriptive of the magnitude of these        events.        The said indices can be used for the following purposes:    -   to inform the driver of the vehicle, for example through an        alarm message, that a given event has occurred or is about to        occur, or    -   to monitor the driver's driving style, or    -   to operate control devices, in particular automatic devices, for        controlling the motion of the vehicle.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a system for the continuousdetermination of the interaction between a tyre and the ground duringthe movement of a motor vehicle, the said tyre comprising a casing, atread, belt plies, sidewalls, beads and at least a first sensorassociated for operation with processing means, characterized in thatthe said first sensor comprises an elongate piezoelectric element whichextends along at least a first portion of the said tyre and is capableof supplying a first signal which is generated by the rotation of thesaid tyre and is formed cyclically on each revolution of the tyre, thesaid first signal having distinctive elements and the said processingmeans being capable of acquiring the said first signal and detectingvariations of the time interval between predetermined distinctiveelements of the said first signal.

In other words, in this first aspect the invention relates to a systemthat includes a vehicle tyre and processing means, the said tyre beingassociated with an elongate piezoelectric element which extends along atleast a first portion of the said tyre and is capable of supplying afirst continuous signal which is generated by the rotation of the saidtyre and is formed cyclically on each revolution of the tyre. The saidfirst signal has distinctive elements and the said processing means iscapable of acquiring the said first signal and detecting variations ofthe time interval between predetermined distinctive elements of the saidfirst signal. The said processing means are also capable of evaluatingthe interaction between the said tyre and the ground during the movementof the said vehicle.

The said tyre/ground interaction is indicative of the behaviour of amoving tyre and of the behaviour in motion of a vehicle equipped withthe said tyre.

Preferably, the said first signal is proportional to the variations ofdeformation undergone by the said first piezoelectric sensor during therotation of the said tyre.

Advantageously, the said system also comprises at least a secondpiezoelectric sensor associated with the said tyre, the said secondpiezoelectric sensor comprising an elongate piezoelectric element whichextends along at least a second portion of the said tyre and is capableof supplying a second signal, generated by the rotation of the saidtyre, which is formed cyclically on each revolution of the tyre, thesaid second signal having distinctive elements and the said processingmeans being capable of additionally acquiring the said second signal anddetecting variations of the time interval between predetermineddistinctive elements of the said first and the said second signal.

Preferably, the said second signal is also proportional to thevariations of deformation undergone by the said second piezoelectricsensor during the rotation of the said tyre.

To express it in other terms, the signal generated by the said sensor isindicative of variations in the mechanical stresses experienced by atyre during the movement of a vehicle equipped with the said tyre.

A variation in mechanical stress generated by a tyre/ground interactionis revealed by a variation in the said signal, which thus suppliesinformation as to the behaviour of a moving tyre and as to the behaviourin motion of a vehicle equipped with the said tyre.

Given that the said tyre is mounted on a vehicle wheel rim, the saidsignal also includes information arising from the mass of the rim andfrom the relative distribution of the said mass, and the continuouslygenerated signal is therefore representative of the movement of theentire wheel.

The present invention is based on reading and interpreting variations indistinctive elements of the signal and, in particular, depending on thetype of detection required, takes account of the absolute values of thesaid distinctive elements or variations in distance or frequency betweendistinctive elements or a combination of the said quantities.

It has been found experimentally that the said variations depend mainlyon the tyre/ground interaction and are not significantly affected byelements of the signal due to the rim.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a tyre for a motor vehicle,comprising a casing, a tread, belt plies, sidewalls, beads and at leasta first sensor, characterized in that the said first sensor comprises anelongate piezoelectric element which extends along at least a firstportion of the said tyre and is capable of supplying a first signalwhich is generated by the rotation of the said tyre and is formedcyclically on each revolution of the tyre, the said first signal havingdistinctive elements and the variations of the time interval betweenpredetermined distinctive elements of the said first signal beingindicative of the variations of angular velocity of the said tyre.

In other words, in this second aspect the invention relates to a tyrefor a motor vehicle provided with at least one first elongatepiezoelectric element which extends along at least a first portion ofthe said tyre and is capable of supplying a first signal which isgenerated by the rotation of the said tyre and is formed cyclically oneach revolution of the tyre. The said first signal preferably hasdistinctive elements. More preferably, the variations of the timeinterval between predetermined distinctive elements of said first signalare indicative of the variations of angular velocity of the said tyre.

The said signal is preferably indicative of an interaction of the tyrein its entirety with the ground. Depending on the method of reading, itprovides information on the behaviour of a moving tyre or on thebehaviour in motion of a vehicle equipped with the said tyre.

Preferably, the said first signal is proportional to the variations ofdeformation undergone by the said first piezoelectric sensor during therotation of the said tyre.

In a first variant, the said first piezoelectric sensor is applied alongat least one portion of a predetermined circumference of the said tyre.Preferably, it is applied along at least one portion of the equatorialcircumference of the said tyre and, even more preferably, along thewhole of a predetermined circumference of the said tyre. The saidpiezoelectric sensor can also be fastened at suitably spaced points of acircumference of the tyre.

In a second variant, the said first piezoelectric sensor is appliedalong a portion of a meridian profile (lying in the plane of a crosssection) of the said tyre. Preferably, it is applied along a centralportion of the said meridian profile, which extends on both sides of theequatorial plane.

Advantageously, the said first piezoelectric sensor is applied to aninner surface of the said casing.

Alternatively, the said first piezoelectric sensor is embedded in thesaid casing, in the said belt plies, in the said tread or in a bead.

In another preferred embodiment, the said first sensor is arranged, atleast partly, in contact with a tyre and with a vehicle wheel rim onwhich the said tyre is mounted.

Still more preferably, the said sensor is housed, at least partly,between a bead seat of a vehicle wheel rim and a bead of a tyre mountedon the said rim.

Advantageously, the said tyre comprises at least a second piezoelectricsensor comprising an elongate piezoelectric element which extends alongat least a second portion of the said tyre and is capable of supplying asecond signal which is generated by the rotation of the said tyre and isformed cyclically on each revolution of the tyre, the said second signalhaving distinctive elements and the variations of the time intervalbetween predetermined distinctive elements of the said second signalbeing indicative of the variations of angular velocity of the said tyre.

Preferably, the said second signal is also proportional to thevariations of deformation undergone by the said second piezoelectricsensor during the rotation of the said tyre.

Advantageously, the said second piezoelectric sensor is applied along acircumference forming part of the said bead or along a bead portion of ameridian profile of the said tyre.

As is known, piezoelectricity is the potential difference that developsbetween two faces of certain crystals when subjected to mechanicalstress. This phenomenon is known as the direct piezoelectric effect. Thereverse piezoelectric effect is also known and consists of mechanicaldeformations that occur in crystals, which exhibit the directpiezoelectric effect, under the influence of a potential difference.

Over recent decades, thermoplastic materials (piezoelectric polymers)that are capable of reversibly developing potential differences whenstressed mechanically have also been prepared and studied.

Preferably, the said piezoelectric sensor consists of a coaxialpiezoelectric cable, a bipolar piezoelectric cable or a piezoelectricstrip comprising an elongate piezoelectric element, for example oneconsisting of a piezoelectric polymer.

In a variant, the said piezoelectric sensor comprises a cable consistingof piezoelectric portions and non-piezoelectric and electricallyconducting portions, connected electrically. Preferably, they followeach other in an alternating sequence.

In particular, the said piezoelectric portions and non-piezoelectricconducting portions follow each other in a zigzag (or fretted)configuration, or are aligned.

The tyre and the system according to the invention make it possible toobtain precise information at the correct time on the variations whichoccur in the operating conditions of the tyre, for example on any skidsituation and consequently on the variation of the available adhesion.

When this information is available, it is then possible to rapidly carryout actions for regulating and optimizing the behaviour of the movingvehicle on a straight path and/or in a curved trajectory.

More particularly, the piezoelectric sensor according to the inventioncan be associated for operation, by means of a transmitter, with acontrol unit which acquires and stores the signals emitted by the saidsensor, detects variations of the time interval between predetermineddistinctive elements of the said signals indicative of the variations ofangular velocity of the said tyre and consequently of the creep, andprocesses them to supply output signals indicative of the variations ofthe state of interaction between the tyre and the ground (road) duringthe movement of the motor vehicle and to control regulating devices (forexample, the brakes, accelerator, differential and suspension) designedto control the behaviour of the motor vehicle.

The said output signals, which are indicative of variations in the stateof interaction between the tyre and the ground (road) during themovement of the motor vehicle may also, or only, be sent, at leastpartly, to means capable of emitting a visual and/or acoustic signalindicative of the behaviour of the motor vehicle.

Those skilled in the art will be able to decide how to convert andtransmit the signal generated by the sensor on the basis of well-knownparameters.

In the course of preliminary tests carried out by the inventors it wasfound that a preferred method of transmitting the signal is to use aconstant-frequency carrier wave which is frequency-modulated.

In more detail, a transmission antenna, connected to a transmittermounted on the wheel emits this wave, generating around itself anelectromagnetic field of constant intensity, being contingent upon theamplitude of the carrier wave, and of variable frequency in accordancewith the frequency modulation of the said carrier wave. The intensity ofthe said field depends on the power of the transmitter and thecharacteristics of the antenna.

A receiver mounted on the body of the vehicle is capable of decoding thereceived signal by separating the intensity of the magnetic field fromits frequency. The frequency variation supplies the information aboutthe behaviour of the moving tyre. This frequency modulation isindependent of the intensity of the magnetic field which, however,determines the maximum possible distance at which the signal can betransmitted and its purity: if the magnetic field is too weak relativeto the distance of the receiver, reception will be confused anddistorted or it may even be impossible to receive the signal. It shouldbe noted that in the case of a v hide in which the receiver is in afixed position and the transmitter is mounted on the wheel, theintensity of the field detected by the receiver will itself also varywith distance between the transmitter and the receiver: in particular,the value of this intensity varies sinusoidally and is preferably setwithin a range of values of from 1.6 to 2.2 V for reliable signalreception. This sinusoidal wave reaches its maximum when the revolutionof the wheel brings the transmitter to the shortest distance from thereceiver and reaches its minimum when the transmitter is at its greatestdistance from the receiver. The cyclical occurrence of a predeterminedpoint in the said sinusoid, preferably but not necessarily the maximum,may advantageously be used as a trigger.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a kit for detectingthe behaviour of a tyre when moving with respect to a contact surface,the said tyre and the said kit both being mounted on a vehicle wheelrim.

The said kit preferably includes:

-   -   a sensor comprising an elongate piezoelectric element which,        when placed in contact with a portion of the said tyre, comes        under mechanical stress in relation to the movement of the said        tyre and emits a continuous and cyclical signal indicative of        variations of the said mechanical stress, and    -   a transmitter of the said continuous and cyclical signal.

Still more preferably the kit includes a supporting structure, apiezoelectric sensor, a transmitter and an antenna, and also,optionally, a receiver which is to be installed for example on board thevehicle and is tuned to the same frequencies as those at which thetransmitter transmits.

A kit according to the present invention, in a preferred embodiment,particularly but not exclusively designed for the continuousdetermination of the interaction between tyre and ground during themovement of a vehicle, comprises an annular supporting structure,preferably made of an elastic, and still more preferably elastomeric,material, capable of being fitted onto the bead seat of a mounting rimfor a tyre, and laid between the shoulder of the rim and the outersurface of the tyre, in particular the outer surface of the bead area ofthe abovementioned tyre.

The cross section of this annular structure is preferably more or lessrectangular, with the shorter sides approximately parallel with the axisof rotation of the rim and the longer sides lying in planesapproximately parallel with the mid-plane of the rim, correspondingapproximately to the equatorial plane of the tyre.

The said longer sides constitute the intersection of the plane of thecross section of the annular structure with the axially inner andaxially outer lateral surfaces of the said structure, with reference toits position on the mounting rim.

A turn of piezoelectric cable is attached to one of these lateralsurfaces of the said structure, preferably the axially inner surface,designed to be in contact with the said surface of the tyre. A terminalof the said turn is closed on a first clamp of a transmitter with whichthe said structure is also provided.

The transmitter is preferably provided with a fastener, (not illustratedas known per se and not particularly significant for the purposes of thepresent invention) to fix the said transmitter to the shoulder of therim.

The aforementioned terminal part of the turn of piezoelectric cablereaches the said first clamp of the transmitter after passing over anedge of the supporting structure, preferably the radially outer edge, orby passing through the said structure through a hole.

The transmitter is usually provided with a transmission antenna: in afirst embodiment, a transmission antenna may incorporate a turn ofmetallic material, preferably of copper, with at least one terminalconnected to a second clamp on the transmitter.

In a convenient and different embodiment, a transmission antenna mayincorporate a ferrite core inside a solenoid.

The said turn of metallic material is preferably associated with theaxially outer surface of the said supporting structure.

The use of the term “associated” as applied to the turn above isintended to refer to the fact that each of the said turns may be simplylaid on the supporting structure, or attached at at least one point toone of the lateral surfaces of the said structure, or even attached tothe said surface throughout its length, or indeed completely embeddedwithin the said structure.

The inside diameter of the annular structure is approximately equal tothe rim diameter of the mounting rim: it is preferably slightly less inorder to create a small interference with the bead seat to force theannular structure to work under slight tension.

The elasticity of the supporting structure is preferably such that it isnot only possible to pass it over the shoulder of the rim during fittingbut also to use the abovementioned structure on rims of different rimdiameters, preferably at least those with adjacent rim diameters: inother words the structure intended for use on a 14-inch rim can also beused on a 15-inch rim and so on.

The turns indicated above are preferably nonlinear, and more preferablyinclude at least one undulating portion, so as to allow their diameterto increase without being subject to a pulling action, for use on rimsof different diameters.

The height of the lateral surfaces of the supporting structure, i.e. theamplitude of the circular annulus, is preferably greater than the heightof the shoulder of the mounting rim: more preferably the diameter of theturn of piezoelectric cable is less than the outside diameter of thesaid shoulder in order that the said turn of cable is contained betweenthe outer surface of the tyre and the axially inner surface of the saidshoulder.

The diameter of the turn of metallic material acting as an antenna ispreferably greater than the outside diameter of the said shoulder inorder to prevent physical contact with the latter and enhance theefficiency of transmission.

A transmitter usually also includes a power generator in order tooperate. In a preferred embodiment the aforesaid kit offers aself-powered device because the electrical signal generated by the turnof piezoelectric cable also powers, preferably via a buffer battery, thepower circuit of the transmitter.

The receiver receives the signal transmitted by the transmitter in theform and by the means chosen, on the basis of the knowledge of theperson skilled in the art, for the intended use. In a preferredembodiment of the detection device of the said kit, this signal is used,as described earlier, for the additional purpose of providing a triggereffect on each revolution of the wheel in order to detect the rollingspeed of the wheel and work out any change in this.

The supporting structure is preferably produced from a compound which,after vulcanization, exhibits a hardness, measured in Shore A degrees,of between 50 and 80; the moduli of elasticity CA1, CA3 of the saidcompound are preferably as follows: CA1 between 0.8 and 2 MPa; CA3between 3 and 12 MPa.

In one particular embodiment of the abovementioned kit, for a tyre size195/60 R15, mounted on a rim size 15″×6j, the dimensions of the crosssection of the supporting structure are those specified below where thepreferred ranges of values refer to rims of between 13″ and 16″:

-   -   outside diameter 390 mm, preferably between 370 and 470 mm;    -   inside diameter 340 mm, preferably between 320 and 420 mm;    -   height of the annulus 25 mm, preferably between 20 and 30 mm;    -   thickness 2.5 mm, preferably between 2 and 3 mm.

As regards the parts of the detecting and transmitting device, thecharacteristics are:

-   -   mean diameter of the turn of piezoelectric cable 360 mm,        preferably between 340 and 440 mm;    -   turn of metallic material made of copper;    -   mean diameter of the turn of metallic material 380 mm,        preferably between 360 and 460 mm;    -   transmitter capable of transmitting on frequencies between 430        and 450 MHz.

In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a vehiclewheel that includes tyre, rim and device for detecting the behaviour ofthe tyre moving with respect to a contact surface, characterized in thatthe said device includes a sensor that emits a continuous and cyclicalsignal indicative of a state of mechanical stress or of its variationswith respect to a previous state.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle thatincludes a body, at least one suspension, at least one wheel fitted witha tyre and at least one device for controlling the behaviour of themoving vehicle, in which the said device is activated by a signal fromthe said wheel or wheels or part thereof, characterized in that the saidsignal is emitted continuously and cyclically by at least one sensorassociated with the said wheel or wheels or part thereof, and in thatthe said signal is indicative of a state of mechanical stress or of itsvariations with respect to a previous state.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method fordetecting an interaction between at least on moving tyre and a contactsurface by means of a signal emitted by a sensor associated with thesaid tyre that includes the step of causing the generation of acontinuous and cyclical signal indicative of a state of mechanicalstress or of its variations with respect to a previous state.

According to a variant, the present invention relates to a method fordetecting the behaviour of at least one moving tyre with respect to acontact surface that includes the following steps:

-   -   causing the generation of a continuous and cyclical signal in        relation to the movement of the said tyre;    -   comparing a plurality of cycles, or parts of cycles, of the said        signal with each other.

In another variant, the present invention relates to a method forenabling a tyre to generate a signal indicative of its own behaviourwhen moving with respect to a contact surface that includes the step offitting the said tyre with a sensor for generating a continuous andcyclical signal indicative of a state of mechanical stress or of itsvariations with respect to a previous state.

Yet another variant of the present invention relates to a method forenabling a tyre to transmit a signal descriptive of its own behaviourwhen moving with respect to a contact surface that includes thefollowing steps:

-   -   providing the said tyre with a sensor for generating a        continuous and cyclical signal indicative of a state of        mechanical stress or of its variations with respect to a        previous state;    -   providing the said sensor with a transmitter capable of        transmitting the said continuous and cyclical signal.

In another variant, the present invention relates to a method forenabling a tyre mounted on a wheel rim to generate a signal descriptiveof its own behaviour when moving with respect to a contact surface thatincludes the step of providing the said tyre with a sensor forgenerating a continuous and cyclical signal indicative of a state ofmechanical stress or of its variations with respect to a previous state.

The said method preferably also includes a stage in which the saidsignal is transmitted to a unit capable of supplying visual or acousticindications of at least part of the behaviour of the said tyre.

Also preferred is a stage in which the said signal is transmitted to aunit capable of activating at least one device that will regulate thesaid movement of the said tyre.

The present invention includes a variant relating to a method formanufacturing a wheel inclusive of a tyre, rim and sensor in such a waythat it is capable of generating a signal descriptive of the behaviourof the tyre when moving with respect to a contact surface, that includesthe step of assembling the said tyre, the said rim and the said sensor,to form the said wheel, in such a way that the said sensor generates acontinuous and cyclical signal indicative of a state of mechanicalstress or of its variations with respect to a previous state.

Yet another variant of the present invention relates to a method formonitoring the behaviour of a moving vehicle mounted on wheels thatincludes the following steps:

-   -   detecting a signal, which is generated continuously and        cyclically by a sensor associated with at least one of the said        wheels, and which is indicative of a state of mechanical stress        or of its variations with respect to a previous state;    -   transmitting the said signal to a processing unit with which the        said vehicle can be provided.

The processing unit may be positioned inside the vehicle or outside ofit.

The said method preferably also includes a stage in which changes indistinctive elements of the said signal within the same cycle orcompared with a previous cycle are detected in order to supply signalsindicative of the behaviour of the said moving vehicle.

The said stage of detection may also relate to the signals coming fromat least two tyres of the same vehicle to supply signals indicative ofthe comparison of changes in distinctive elements of signals coming fromthe said two or more tyres.

In another variant, the present invention relates to a method forcontrolling the behaviour of a moving vehicle mounted on wheels andcomprising at least one motion control device that includes thefollowing steps:

-   -   detecting a signal, which is generated continuously and        cyclically by a sensor associated with at least one of the said        wheels, the said signal being indicative of a state of        mechanical stress or of its variations with respect to a        previous state;    -   transmitting the said signal to a unit with which the said        vehicle can be provided and which is capable of activating the        said motion control device or devices.

Another variant of the present invention relates to a method formonitoring the structural uniformity of a tyre by analysing therotation, at a predetermined speed, of a wheel that includes the saidtyre inflated to a predetermined pressure and a mounting rim, of whichboth the mass and the relative distribution of the said mass are known,the said method including the following steps:

-   -   detecting a signal generated continuously and cyclically by a        sensor associated with the said wheel, capable of sensing a        cyclical variation of mechanical stress indicative of a        variation of centrifugal force due to a nonuniformity of        distribution of masses in the said wheel;    -   transmitting the said signal to a processing unit;    -   cleaning the said signal of the component due to the mounting        rim;    -   comparing at least one distinctive element of the said signal        with at least one reference value.

As is known to those skilled in the art, these structuralnonuniformities can depend on features of its construction such as, forexample, the presence and position of the joints and the ply steer; orfrom manufacturing imperfections such as, for example, unevendistribution of the masses and eccentricity of the tyre; or from wear.

For each nonuniformity a reference value, or threshold value, will bechosen and this will vary with the type of tyre depending on whether thetyre is for use on a heavy goods vehicle, a medium-performance car, asports car etc.

If the value determined by the method of the present invention does notexceed the preset reference value, the tyre under examination will beapproved. If not, it will be rejected.

This method is also very useful in assessing the characteristics ofprototypes at the research and development phase.

Another variant of the present invention relates to a method fordetecting deflation of a tyre by analysing the behaviour of the tyrewhen moving with respect to a contact surface, that includes thefollowing steps:

-   -   detecting a signal generated continuously and cyclically by a        sensor associated with a wheel that includes the said tyre, the        said signal being indicative of a state of mechanical stress or        of its variations with respect to a previous state;    -   transmitting the said signal to a processing unit;    -   comparing at least one distinctive element of the said signal        with at least one predetermined reference value;    -   indicating when the value found in this way departs from the        said reference value.

The said reference value is preferably a maximum threshold value and caneasily be determined by the person skilled in the art on the basis ofthe ideal operating pressure for the type of tyre under examination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Characteristics and advantages of the invention will now be explainedwith reference to a number of embodiments shown as examples, withoutrestrictive intent, in the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the system according to the inventionfor the continuous determination of the interaction between a tyre andthe ground; the tyre is shown in perspective and cut in half along anequatorial plane;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tyre of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of apiezoelectric sensor associated with the tyre of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are graphs which show a signal emitted by thepiezoelectric sensor associated with the tyre of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the system according to theinvention for the continuous determination of the interaction between atyre and the ground;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tyre of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are graphs which show signals emitted by thepiezoelectric sensors associated with the tyre of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a tyre which is associated with apiezoelectric sensor which is a variant of that of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a tyre which is associated withpiezoelectric sensors which are variants of those of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are graphs which show signals emitted by thepiezoelectric sensors associated with the tyre of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 shows a tyre which is associated with a piezoelectric sensorwhich is a variant of those of the preceding figures;

FIG. 16 shows a tyre which is associated with a piezoelectric sensorwhich is a variant of that of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view in longitudinal section of an embodiment of thepiezoelectric sensor of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view through the plane XVIII—XVIII in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows a variant of the system according to the invention for thecontinuous determination of the interaction between a tyre and theground;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view, on a larger scale, of the tyre ofFIG. 19;

FIG. 21 shows a variant of the tyre of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 shows another variant of the tyre of FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the tyre of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 shows a transmitter fitted to the tyre of FIG. 19;

FIGS. 25 and 26 are graphs showing the signals emitted by a sensorfitted to the tyre of FIG. 19;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a kit for detecting the behaviour of atyre according to the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a partial cross section through a tyre mounted on amotor-vehicle wheel rim in which the kit of FIG. 27 is mounted betweenone of the beads of the tyre and a shoulder of the rim;

FIG. 29 is a partial cross section taken on the plane marked XXIX—XXIXin FIG. 27;

FIGS. 30 to 34 show graphs illustrating a signal emitted by apiezoelectric sensor fitted to a tyre, the signal representing aspecific event;

FIG. 35 shows the spectrum of frequencies extracted from the signal ofFIG. 31 after processing by the Fourier transform method;

FIGS. 36 and 37 show, against time, the index associated with thecomfort of the vehicle, instantaneous in the first case and progressivein the second;

FIG. 38 shows the comfort index and the successive processes performedon it to obtain the same in two different conditions of operation of atyre;

FIGS. 39 and 40 show the calculation of the index of transfer of load intwo separate cases; and

FIG. 41 shows a motor vehicle fitted with wheels having piezoelectricsensors according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a tyre 1 for a motor vehicle, comprising a casing 2,a tread 3, belt plies (belt package) 6, sidewalls 4 and beads 5. Thetyre 1 is applied to a rim 15. The casing 2 has an inner surface 9 whichmay be covered by a coating layer (liner). The tyre 1 is associated,according to the invention, with an elongate piezoelectric element 7formed by a piezoelectric cable 10. The piezoelectric cable 10 isapplied to the inner surface 9 of the casing 2 and extendslongitudinally (in the direction X, orthogonal to the plane YZ), in thedirection of advance of the motor vehicle, along the whole of theequatorial circumference of the inner surface of the casing. Results ofthe same type are obtained when the piezoelectric cable 10 extends onlyalong a portion of the equatorial circumference (an arc of thecircumference).

In more general terms the piezoelectric sensor includes an elongatepiezoelectric element that defines a first surface and a second surface,each of these surfaces being in electrical contact with a conductor.

This piezoelectric element is preferably tubular in form with an insidesurface and an outside surface. The electrical conductor in contact withthe outside surface of the said elongate piezoelectric element ispreferably a sock of electrically conducting material placed around thesaid surface.

The electrical conductor in contact with the inside surface of thiselongate piezoelectric element is preferably in the form of a wire orcord of wires of a conducting material. In an alternative form it takesthe form of a sock wound around a non-conducting support.

As shown in FIG. 3, the piezoelectric cable 10 comprises a central core11, made from electrically conducting material, an insulating layer 12and a mesh wrapping 13, also made from electrically conducting material.The core 11 is formed, for example, from a cord of tinned steel wires,while the wrapping 13 is made from copper. The insulating layer 12 isinterposed between the core 11 and the wrapping 13, and is formed from apiezoelectric polymer such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). An outercovering and protecting sheath 14, made from elastoplastic material, forexample polythene or butyl halogen rubber, is applied to the wrapping13. The piezoelectric cable 10 has, for example, a diameter ofapproximately 3 mm.

When the cable is embedded in the tyre, for example in the casing 2, inthe belt plies 6, in the tread 3 or in the bead 4, it is preferred touse a piezoelectric cable 10 without the outer sheath 14 in order toavoid problems of incompatibility between the material of this outersheath 14 and the materials of which the tyre is made.

The Applicant has found that this solution can advantageously be adoptedeven when the cable is arranged on an internal or external surfaceportion of the tyre.

In the tyre 1, the piezoelectric cable 10 is applied to the innersurface 9 of the casing 2. However, similar results will be achieved byembedding the piezoelectric cable 10 in the casing 2, where it canreplace a cord of the casing ply 2; in the belt 6, where it can replacea cord of a belt ply; in the tread 3; or in a bead 5. Additionally, thepiezoelectric cable 10 can be applied within a circumferential groove ofthe tread 3, preferably at the bottom of a channel, or on a sidewall 4.

When the piezoelectric sensor 7 formed by the piezoelectric cable 10 issubjected to deformation, it generates electrical charges which producea potential difference which is proportional, preferably in a linearway, to the variation of the deformation undergone.

In a different type of cable the potential difference generated may varyin a nonlinear manner as the deformation of the piezoelectric sensorvaries.

As is known, electrical charges are generated whenever the piezoelectriccable is subjected to mechanical stress, in particular to a variation ofthe state of its current mechanical stress, such as, for example, whenit comes under alternately varying pressures or repeated flexings.

During the movement of the vehicle, the piezoelectric sensor 7 undergoesdeformations which produce electrical signals such as those shown inFIGS. 4-6, 9-10, 13, 14 and 19, 20. The said signals are characterizedby distinctive elements consisting of peaks, rectangular waves and thelike.

The applicant has found that these distinctive elements are generated bythe interaction with the road of nonuniformities in the tyre (e.g. treadblocks, joins between the fabrics bonded into the casing structure ofthe tyre, uneven distribution of masses, etc.) which, being localizedaround the circumference of the tyre, cause cyclical variations in thestate of mechanical stress of the rotating tyre. The cyclical variationsare related to the movement (speed of rotation and skids) of the wheel.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention a nonuniformity isdeliberately applied to a tyre in order to generate a particulardistinctive element in the signal emitted by a sensor.

In particular the sensor itself may be the nonuniformity that generatesthe said distinctive element.

To put it another way, the applicant has found that thesenonuniformities influence the waveform (amplitude of peaks and/orinterval between peaks) of the signal emitted during the rotation of thetyre. This waveform, in the absence of events tending to disturb therotation of the tyre at a constant speed, is repeated virtuallyidentically with itself on each revolution of the wheel.

It thus becomes extremely simple to assess experimentally the impactwhich each event, studied on its own, produces on the said waveform.Turning to ever more complex situations characterized by thesimultaneous presence of multiple events, it is no less easy torecognize the presence of each individual event. These complexsituations can be reproduced experimentally beginning with a wheelallowed to rotate freely on the bench and progressively moving to thesame wheel rotating on a roadwheel (a laboratory device which is wellknown per se) that is smooth, rough, has obstacles, and suitablyselected angles of camber and of drift, leading ultimately to a wheelmounted on a vehicle.

The basis for this is that each event constitutes a perturbation thatmodifies the said waveform. If the perturbation produced by each event,even in complex situations, is known, it is possible to recognize eachindividual event by comparing the waveform of an individual signal, at aprecise instant, with the corresponding waveform (stored in memory) ofthe said signal at another moment, for example in a previous cycle ofrotation.

The present invention therefore successfully interprets complexsituations on the basis of knowing all the elementary situations ofwhich they are composed. To this end, according to the invention, it issufficient to use a single type of sensor and analyse a single signal.In contrast, the methods of the prior art, which study complexsituations characterized by the simultaneous presence of multipleevents, begin with the said complex situations and attempt to tease outthe elementary situations of which they are made up by analysing aplurality of signals each generated by a different type of sensorspecific to each event which they are wished to monitor (that is eachelementary situation).

The electrical signals, proportional to the variations of deformation,which are emitted by the piezoelectric sensor 7 are converted, by meansof a transmitter (not shown), into analog or digital signals which canbe transmitted over a distance, in the form of radio signals, forexample.

The piezoelectric sensor 7 is associated for operation, by means of theaforesaid transmitter, with a control unit 8 (FIG. 1) which acquires andstores the signals emitted by the sensor 7 and detects variations of thetime interval between predetermined distinctive elements of the saidsignals indicating the variations of angular velocity of the said tyre1, and therefore of the creep. The control unit processes them andsupplies output signals indicative of the variations of the state ofinteraction (skidding) between the tyre 1 and the ground (road) duringthe movement of the motor vehicle. The output signals are used tooperate regulating devices designed for the control of the behaviour ofthe vehicle, such as the brakes, accelerator, differential andsuspension.

Examples of signals emitted by the piezoelectric sensor 7 are shown inthe graphs of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 for a tyre of the 195/65 R15 size, with a6J rim, at an inflation pressure of 2.2 bar, subjected to a verticalload of 350 kg, at constant velocity along a straight path.

The graph in FIG. 4 shows the variation of the amplitude (millivolts) ofthe signal a emitted by the piezoelectric cable over a period of time(seconds) in each cycle of revolution of the tyre, in straight motion,on a smooth road, at a constant velocity of 20 km/hr.

The graph in FIG. 5 shows the variation of the amplitude (millivolts) ofthe signal b emitted by the piezoelectric cable over a period of time(seconds) in each cycle of revolution of the tyre, in straight motion,on a smooth road, at a constant velocity of 80 km/hr.

The graph in FIG. 6 shows the signal a compared with the signal b. Thiscomparison shows that it is possible, at any rotation speed, todistinguish very precise peaks (distinctive elements) in each revolutionof the tyre which can be considered equivalent to those emitted by theteeth of a phonic wheel. When the tyre rotates at constant velocity,these peaks are at fixed intervals, whereas, in braking, the said peakstend to move apart and the variations in the time interval between thesaid peaks are indicative of the variations of angular velocity of thetyre and therefore of the corresponding creep.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a variant of the system according to the invention,in which the tyre 1 is associated with the piezoelectric sensor 7 and apiezoelectric sensor 107. The piezoelectric sensor 107 is formed by apiezoelectric cable 10 (FIG. 3) applied to the inner surface 9 near abead 5 of the tyre 1. The piezoelectric cable 10 extends along the wholecircumference of the bead identified by the intersection of the beadwith a plane parallel to the equatorial plane of the tyre. Results ofthe same type can be achieved when the sensor 107 is applied along onlya portion of the said circumference or is embedded in a bead 5.

Examples of signals emitted by the piezoelectric sensors 7 and 107 areshown in the graphs in FIGS. 9 and 10 for a tyre of the 195/65 R15-P6000size, with an inflation pressure of 2.2 bar, subjected to a verticalload of 280 kg, in straight motion, at a constant velocity of 80 km/hr.

The graph in FIG. 9 shows the variation of the amplitude (millivolts) ofthe signals c and d emitted, respectively, by the piezoelectric sensor 7and by the piezoelectric sensor 107 over a period of time (seconds) ineach cycle of revolution of the tyre, in the absence of torque (rotationat constant velocity). The signals c and d are synchronous. FIG. 9 showsthe distinctive elements (homologous peaks) PP1 and PP2 of the signal cand of the signal d respectively.

The homologous peaks relate to the same “non-uniformity” of the tyre,consisting of a non-uniform distribution of mass, such as the individualpitches of the tread pattern or the means of fixing the piezoelectriccable to the tyre.

Within each revolution of the tyre, the time interval between thehomologous peaks PP1 and PP2 is measured. This interval indicates thephase displacement between the signal generated by the “non-uniformity”in the piezoelectric sensor 7 and that generated in the piezoelectricsensor 107. The variations of the phase displacement between homologouspeaks within each revolution of the tyre measure the creep to which thebelt plies 6 are subjected with respect to the beads 5, and,consequently, with respect to the hub 15 on which the tyre 1 is fitted.

In the case of FIG. 9, the phase displacement between the peaks PP1 andPP2 measured at constant velocity forms the reference term for thevariations of phase displacement which occur in other operatingconditions of the tyre (braking, acceleration and the like).

The graph in FIG. 10 is similar to that in FIG. 9, and shows thevariation of the amplitude (millivolts) of the signals e and f emitted,respectively, by the piezoelectric sensor 7 and the piezoelectric sensor107 in a period of time (seconds) in each cycle of revolution of thetyre, in the presence of torque. In this case, a phase displacementmeasured between the peaks PP1 and PP2 has a different value from thatmeasured in the condition of constant velocity (FIG. 9). Consequently,the value of the phase displacement forms a measurement of the creep towhich the belt plies 6 are subjected with respect to the beads 5. Anyvariation of the time value of two phase displacements, measured in thei-th cycle and in the i-th +1 cycle, indicates the variation of thecreep between the belt plies 9 and the beads 5 of the tyre in theoperating conditions of the two successive cycles.

FIG. 11 shows a piezoelectric sensor 207 associated with the tyre 1: Thepiezoelectric sensor 207 is formed by a piece of piezoelectric cable 10,having a length of approximately 40 mm, applied to a bead 5. Thepiezoelectric sensor 207 extends transversely (in the direction Y) alonga bead portion of a meridian profile 16 of the tyre 1.

FIG. 12 shows a piezoelectric sensor 307 and the piezoelectric sensor207 associated with the tyre 1. The piezoelectric sensor 307 is formedby a piece of piezoelectric cable 10, having a length of approximately40 mm, applied to the inner surface 9 of the casing 2. The piezoelectricsensor 307 extends transversely (in the direction Y) along a centralportion of the meridian profile 16, which extends on both sides of theequatorial plane of the tyre 1.

The graph in FIG. 13 shows the variation of the amplitude (millivolts)of the signals g and h emitted, respectively, by the piezoelectricsensor 307 and by the piezoelectric sensor 207 in a period of time(seconds) in each cycle of revolution of the tyre, in the absence oftorque (constant velocity).

The graph in FIG. 14 shows the variation of the amplitude (millivolts)of the signals I and I emitted, respectively, by the piezoelectricsensor 307 and by the piezoelectric sensor 207 in a period of time(seconds) in each cycle of revolution of the tyre, in the presence oftorque. In this case also, the phase displacement between the peaks PP1and PP2 has a value different from that measured in the condition ofconstant velocity (FIG. 13).

FIG. 15 shows a piezoelectric sensor 407 comprising a cable 110 whichextends in a circumferential direction on the inner surface of a bead 5of the tyre 1 with a fretted (zigzag) configuration. The cable 110consists of an alternating sequence of piezoelectric portions 20 andnon-piezoelectric, but electrically conducting, portions 21, all beingconnected electrically to each other. In practice, the cable 110 isformed by a set of portions 20 of piezoelectric cable connected inseries with each other through the portions 21 which provide electricalcontinuity between the individual portions of piezoelectric cable.

More specifically, the said piezoelectric portions 20 each comprise anelongate piezoelectric element.

The beginning and the end of the cable 110 are connected to a device,for example a transmitter, which transmits the signal emitted by thecable in operation to the controller 8.

Typically, the zigzag cable has the following characteristics anddimensions:

Diameter of cable:  3 mm Number of piezoelectric portions (20): 10(length K = 45 mm each); Number of non-piezoelectric portions (21): 10(length H = 140 mm each).

As can be seen in FIG. 15, the portions 21 without piezoelectricmaterial are placed in the longitudinal direction (the direction of theforward movement of the tyre), while the piezoelectric portions 20 areplaced in directions perpendicular to the other portions. The totallength of the cable 110 is 1850 mm, and its longitudinal extension is1400 mm. This cable is indicated for a tyre of the 195/65 R15 size.

The piezoelectric portions 20 can all have the same length, and thenon-piezoelectric (purely conducting) portions 21 can all have the samelength, which is different from that of the piezoelectric portions 20.However, it is possible to have variants in which all the portions havethe same length or, conversely, in which each portion has a lengthdifferent from that of the other portions, or various combinations ofthese.

The piezoelectric cable 110 has a structure and a configuration(alternation of piezoelectric and non-piezoelectric portions) such thatit automatically generates a sequence of distinctive elements during therotation of the tyre, independently of the non-uniformities of the tyreor of the way in which the cable is fixed to the inner surface of thetyre.

As in the embodiments described above, the cable 110, structured andconfigured in this way, transmits (by means of the electrical signalgenerated by the cable) the information on the movement of the cableduring the cyclical rotation of the tyre. In the case of the cable 110,the movement of the cable, or rather of its different piezoelectricportions 20, generates an electrical signal indicative of the velocityof rotation of the tyre 1. If the measurement of the velocity ofrotation of the tyre in the i-th cycle is then compared with that foundin the i-th+1 cycle, it is possible to immediately determine the extentof any skidding.

Additionally, stages of skidding can be distinguished within anindividual cycle of revolution of the tyre, by comparing the individualdistinctive elements (peaks).

The advantage of a cable of this type lies in the fact that the signalemitted is essentially free from disturbances or background noise.

The “zigzag” configuration is also particularly convenient for a cablehaving piezoelectric properties along the whole of its length.

FIG. 16 shows a piezoelectric sensor 507 comprising a cable 210consisting of piezoelectric portions 20 and non-piezoelectric conductingportions 21 placed in an alternating sequence and aligned along the samecircumference.

In particular, the said piezoelectric portions comprise at least oneelongate piezoelectric element.

It is also possible to place a cable, such as the cable 210, along atleast one portion of the meridian profile, in other words one lying inthe same plane as a cross section of the tyre.

The signals emitted by the piezoelectric sensors 407 and 507 are similarto those of the sensors illustrated above.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show a particular embodiment of the piezoelectric cable210. Tubular portions 112 of insulating piezoelectric material andtubular portions 121 of non-piezoelectric, but simply insulating,material follow each other in a longitudinally alternating arrangementaround a central conducting core 211.

An electrically conducting mesh 213 is wrapped around the portions 112and 121 and, in turn, a sheath 214 for covering and protecting the cableis wrapped around the conducting mesh 213.

This type of cable can be made by passing a cable, having a layer ofelectrically insulating polymer capable of developing piezoelectricproperties when exposed to a suitable electromagnetic field, through analternately activated and inactivated electromagnetic field, with acontinuous uniform motion.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show a piezoelectric sensor 607 comprising apiezoelectric cable 10 (FIG. 3) fitted to the bead 5 of the tyre 1, in abase 30 thereof. The piezoelectric cable 10 extends all the way aroundthe peripheral circumference of the base 30, or only around part of it,and is preferably housed in an annular groove 31 recessed into the bead5; or alternatively, the abovementioned piezoelectric cable can behoused in an annular groove (not shown) recessed into a base 32 of therim 15.

In a variant, the piezoelectric cable 10 can be embedded in a strip ofcompound that is to be applied along the peripheral circumference of thebase 30. In this version, th annular groove for the strip of compoundcan be recessed either into the base 30 of the bead 5 or into the base32 of the rim 15, or indeed into both bases.

Similar results can be obtained when the cable 10 is fitted along only aportion of the peripheral circumference of the base 30.

FIG. 21 shows a piezoelectric sensor 707 comprising a piezoelectriccable 10 fitted in a depression 33 in the bead 5. As an alternative, thecable 10 can be housed in an annular groove 35 recessed into a shoulder34 of the rim 15, and is in contact with the outer surface of the bead5. The cable 10 extends all the way around the circumference (or onlyalong part of this circumference) of the depression 33 of the bead or ofthe depression 35 of the shoulder.

In a variant, the cable 10 can be embedded in a strip of rubber that isto be applied in the depression 33 of the bead.

Similar results can be obtained when the cable 10 extends along only aportion of the circumference of the depression 33.

The sensors 607 and 707 can be made using a cable 210 made up ofpiezoelectric portions and non-piezoelectric and conducting portions,like that shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.

The cable 10, in the case of smallest internal diameters from 15″, canhave the following configuration: number of piezoelectric portions 5(length 50 mm each), alternating with non-piezoelectric segments whoselengths may differ from each other (for example, 4 segments of length190 mm and one segment of length 240 mm).

FIGS. 22 and 23 show a piezoelectric sensor 807 comprising apiezoelectric cable 10 applied to the shoulder 34 of the rim 15. Thepiezoelectric cable 10 comprises active sections 36, i.e. sectionssensitive to the deformation of the tyre, alternating with inactivesections 37, i.e. insensitive to the deformation of the tyre. Thealternating sections 36 and 37 have a predetermined length and areproduced by passing the cable 10 through holes 38 in the shoulder 34 ofthe rim 15 to form the sections 36 and 37 located on the inside andoutside, respectively, of the shoulder 34. In this way the sections 36of the cable 10 remain in contact with the tyre bead 5 and detect itsdeformations, while the sections 37 do not remain in contact with thebead and do not detect its deformations.

The piezoelectric sensor 807 can be made from, for example, apiezoelectric cable having a diameter of 3 mm and the distance betweenthe holes in the shoulder of the rim is such as to form five sectionssensitive to the deformation, each with a length of 50 mm andalternating with five insensitive sections each with a length of 200 mm.

FIG. 24 shows a transmitter 39 of radio signals attached to the shoulder34 of the rim 15. The transmitter 39 is fixed to the rim by the crimpingmethod, as conventionally used to fix the weights used in balancing thetyre/rim assembly.

This location of the transmitter has a number of advantages. Itfacilitates the fixing of the transmitter because it uses already knownand tested methods available in tyre fitting workshops. It enables thetransmitter to be fixed to the circumference of the rim in the area thatis best “protected” from potential impacts. In addition, the mass of thetransmitter itself can act as a mass in balancing the tyre.

As is known, a signal transmitter is provided with an antenna. With thesensors 607, 707 and 807 the antenna function can be performed by themesh wrapping of the piezoelectric cable itself.

FIGS. 25 and 26 show examples of signals emitted by the piezoelectricsensor 607 or 707 for a P 6000 tyre of size 195 60 R15, rim 6J,inflation pressure 2.2 bar, subjected to vertical loading of 300 kg at avelocity of 50 km/h.

The graph in FIG. 25 shows the amplitude (Volts) of the signal emittedby the piezoelectric cable in an interval of time (sec) corresponding toone wheel revolution.

FIG. 26 shows the amplitude (Volts) of three signals emitted by the samepiezoelectric cable in an interval of time (sec) corresponding to onewheel revolution, in three tests carried out under identical conditionsat intervals of 24 hours. The graphs show that the results have goodrepeatability.

The location of the piezoelectric sensors 607, 707 and 807 on the beadand on the tyre rim has the following advantages.

It ensures consistency of location of the piezoelectric cable.

It makes it possible to have a ring of piezoelectric cable whose lengthis proportional to the smallest internal diameter of the rim andindependent both of the various measurements of the tyres and of theirconditions of use (pressure, load, etc.).

It reduces the mobility of the piezoelectric cable during high-speedoperation of the tyre and thus reduces the effects of fatigue, indeedreducing fatigue almost to zero, and so extending the life of the cableto as much as the life of the tyre.

By comparing the signals emitted by the piezoelectric sensor over time,it is possible to determine tyre wear (irregular and/or regular) andtherefore take action in time. If identical piezoelectric cables arefitted to both shoulders of the rim, the lateral behaviour of the tyre(drift) can be known directly.

FIGS. 27-29 illustrate one particular embodiment of a kit 900 fordetecting the behaviour of a moving tyre 1 according to the presentinvention.

The said kit 900 includes a supporting structure 901, a piezoelectricsensor 902, a transmitter 903 and an antenna 904.

The said supporting structure 901 is annular in shape and is preferablymade of an elastic, still more preferably elastomeric, material. Thesaid annular supporting structure 901 can be fitted to the bead seat 32(or base) of the mounting rim 15, and laid between the shoulder 34 ofthe rim 15 and the outer surface of the tyre 1, in particular the outersurface of the bead area 5 of the above-mentioned tyre 1.

The cross section of this annular structure 901 is preferably more orless rectangular, with the shorter sides approximately parallel with theaxis of rotation of the rim and the longer sides lying in planesapproximately parallel with the mid-plane of the rim, correspondingapproximately to the equatorial plane of the tyre.

Associated with this annular structure 901 is the turn of piezoelectriccable 902. Although FIGS. 27-29 show the turn 902 associated with theaxially outer surface of the said annular structure 901, it ispreferably associated with the axially inner surface which will be incontact with the outer surface of the tyre 1. The turn 902 is closed ontwo first clamps of a transmitter 903 that is also associated with thesaid structure 901.

When the turn of piezoelectric cable 902 is associated with the axiallyinner surface of the structure 901, its terminal part reaches the firstclamp of the transmitter 903 by straddling an edge of the supportingstructure 901, preferably the radially outer edge, or by passing throughthe said structure 901 via at least one hole (not shown).

The transmitter 903 is preferably provided with a fastener (notillustrated as known per se and not particularly significant for thepurposes of the present invention) to fix the said transmitter 903 tothe shoulder 34 of the rim 15.

The transmission antenna 904 consists of a turn of metallic material,preferably copper, connected to a second clamp on the transmitter 903.

The said turn of metallic material 904 is preferably associated with theaxially outer surface of the said supporting structure.

The inside diameter of the annular structure 901 is approximately equalto the rim diameter of the mounting rim 15: it is preferably slightlyless in order to create a small interference with the bead seat 32 toforce the annular structure 901 to work under slight tension.

The elasticity of the supporting structure 901 is preferably such thatit is not only possible for it to be passed over the shoulder 34 of therim 15 during fitting but also for the abovementioned structure 901 tobe used on rims of different diameters, preferably at least those withadjacent rim diameters: in other words a structure designed for use on a14-inch rim can also be used on a 15-inch rim.

In FIGS. 27-29 the turns 902 and 904 are essentially linear. However, itis preferable for them to be nonlinear, more preferably undulating, soas to allow their diameter to increase without being stretched, for useon rims of different diameters.

The height of the lateral surfaces of the supporting structure 901, i.e.the amplitude of the circular annulus, is greater than the height of theshoulder 34 of the mounting rim 15, while the diameter of the turn ofpiezoelectric cable 902 is less than the outside diameter of the saidshoulder 34, so that the said turn of cable 902 is contained between theouter surface of the tyre 1 and the axially inner surface of the saidshoulder 34.

As to the diameter of the turn of metallic material 904 acting as theantenna, this is greater than the outside diameter of the said shoulder34 in order to avoid physical contact with the latter and increase theefficiency of transmission.

The transmitter 903 is connected to a generator of electrical power (notshown) for its operation. In a preferred variant the above-mentioned kit900 is self-powered because the electrical signal generated by the turnof piezoelectric cable 902 also powers, preferably via a buffer battery,the power circuit of the transmitter 903.

The piezoelectric sensor according to the invention can be used toanalyse both the signal emitted during a single cycle of revolution ofthe tyre and the signal emitted within the period of two successive orgenerally close cycles, for example cycles lying within the interval of25 cycles of revolution which precede the cycle under examination.

In particular, during a single cycle of revolution of the tyre it ispossible to carry out a “relative/absolute analysis” of the signalemitted by the piezoelectric sensor. The analysis of the signal isabsolute in that it relates to a single rotation (revolution) of thetyre, but it is relative in that it compares the variations of thesignal which occur during a single revolution of the tyre with thoserecorded at constant velocity. By analysing the variations of the signalduring a single cycle of revolution, it is possible to determine how thenon-uniformities of the tyre, consisting of a non-uniform distributionof mass, such as that caused by the individual pitches of the treadpattern or by the means of fixing the piezoelectric cable to the tyre,“read” the road, or in other words interact with it.

The comparison between two successive cycles makes it possible todetermine whether there has been a change of the conditions of adhesionbetween the tyre and the ground during the rotation of the tyre. Inparticular, in the presence of an uneven road surface or any otherexternal perturbation, the piezoelectric sensor emits a signal whichdetects these perturbations but retains the characteristics which makeit useful for the purposes of the invention. The comparison between thesignal emitted during the rotation of the tyre at constant velocity andthe signal emitted, for example, during braking makes it possible todetermine variations of the time interval between predetermineddistinctive elements of the signals and to detect the variation whichhas occurred in the behaviour of the tyre, such as the presence orabsence of skidding, the loss or maintenance of adhesion of the tyre,the variation of the vertical load, and the presence of perturbations onthe road (obstacles, etc.).

As already stated, the method according to the invention makes itpossible in the first place to analyse the signal emitted during apredetermined interval of time, such as a single cycle of revolution ofthe tyre, or part thereof, or two or more consecutive cycles. Inaddition, the method also allows a comparison to be made between thesignal emitted during the said predetermined interval of time and thecorresponding signal emitted in an earlier interval of time.

Specifically, both the analysis and the comparison may be absolute orrelative. They are absolute when the term of reference is a presetvalue, and relative when this term of reference is a value belonging toone of the earlier time intervals.

An analysis of the characteristics of the signal in a single timeinterval, e.g. within one cycle of revolution, will show how thenonuniformities of the tyre “read” the road, that is how they interactwith it.

A comparison of the said characteristics in two different timeintervals, e.g. in two successive cycles, will show whether theconditions of interaction between the tyre and the ground have modifiedas the tyre has been moving.

A comparison between the characteristics of the signals emitted duringtwo different time intervals, e.g. during braking, will show upvariations of time interval between predetermined distinctive elementsof the signals and will reveal any variation that has occurred in thebehaviour of the tyre such as, for example, the presence or absence ofslip, the loss or otherwise of adhesion of the tyre, a change invertical load, the presence of perturbations on the road (obstacles andthe like).

FIGS. 30-40 refer to tests carried out on a vehicle (Opel Astra 2000)fitted with tyres of size 195/60R15 mounted on rims 6J, inflated to thenormal operating pressure of 2.2 bar and each subjected to a verticalload of 3000 N, with a camber angle on the front axis of 0.5°. The saidwheels are fitted with an elongate piezoelectric element of apiezoelectric cable, as described above, located between the bead andthe shoulder of the mounting rim and running circumferentially aroundthe tyre through an arc of approximately 360°.

To go into more detail, the graph of FIG. 30 shows the amplitude(expressed in mV) of the signal emitted continuously by thepiezoelectric sensor against time (expressed in sec). The signal shownrefers to a time period equal to 0.4 s, which corresponds to 2.36revolutions of the wheel. More precisely, this graph refers to thesignal coming from the front left wheel of the abovementioned vehiclemoving in a straight line on smooth asphalt at a constant speed of 40km/h.

Similarly, the graph shown in FIG. 31 shows the amplitude of thecontinuous signal emitted by the piezoelectric sensor against time. Thesignal shown refers to a period of time equal to 0.8 s which correspondsto 4.71 revolutions of the wheel. More precisely, this graph refers tothe signal coming from the front left wheel of the abovementionedvehicle travelling in a straight line on paving blocks at a constantspeed of 40 km/h. It is clear from a comparison of the signals of FIGS.30 and 31 that, when travelling at the same speed, the signal emitted bythe tyre in contact with an irregular surface (such as the pavingblocks) has greater amplitudes than a signal coming from a tyre rollingon a more even surface (smooth asphalt in FIG. 30).

The graph, FIG. 32, shows the amplitude of the continuous signal emittedby the piezoelectric sensor against time, covering a period of timeequal to 0.5 s, which corresponds to 8.47 revolutions of the wheel. Thisgraph refers to the signal coming from the front left wheel of theabovementioned vehicle travelling in a straight line on smooth asphaltat a constant speed of 115 km/h. It is clear from a comparison of FIGS.30 and 32 that, when travelling over the same surface, the speedparameter also influences the said signals: thus, the signal shown inFIG. 32, obtained from a wheel at high speed (115 km/h), has greateramplitudes than that from the same wheel moving at a slower speed (40km/h).

The said electrical signals are sent, for example by a transmitter, to areceiver and from here to an electronic controller which processes thesignals using mathematical algorithms known per se.

The Applicant, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention and as illustrated in greater detail in the examples whichfollow below, has processed the signal coming from the sensor by aspectral frequency analysis using a Fourier transform (hereinafter “FFTanalysis”—Fast Fourier Transform).

This analysis is preferably carried out on the signal acquired in apredetermined time interval at a predetermined rate. The frequencyspectrum extracted by this analysis is then confined to the range offrequencies that describe the particular event which it is wished tomonitor (e.g. between 70 and 250 Hz in the case of comfort).

The process performed by the method of the present invention caninclude, in combination with or as an alternative to the FFT analysis,the use of a second mathematical algorithm which associates a numericalvalue (index) with the amplitude of distinctive elements of the signalor of frequencies of the corresponding spectrum extracted by the saidFFT analysis in the time interval or frequency range representing theevent which it is wished to monitor.

The mathematical algorithm preferably used by the Applicant consists indetermining the square root of the sum of the squares of the amplitudesof the said distinctive elements or the said frequencies belonging tothe predetermined interval or range. This method of calculation isusually known as RMS (Root Mean Square, hereinafter termed “RMScalculation”).

The RMS calculation can be replaced by equally significant mathematicalalgorithms designed to achieve the same result. In this connection, themethod of calculation known as M.E.V. (Mean Effective Value) may becited. Another possible method of calculation is the calculation knownas V.D.V. (Vibration Dose Value) according to British Standard No. 6841,1987.

The result obtained with these calculations is an index that representsthe magnitude of the event under examination and that refers to theinterval of time in question.

The processing method described above produces an index, correspondingto the monitored event, that varies continuously with the event itselfand at the preset rate of detection of the signal.

This index can be used in a number of different ways.

For example:

-   -   to represent the variation of this index as a function of        distance travelled or of time;    -   to store a value (maximum, mean, minimum) of this index, or the        sequence of the said values in time, e.g. in order to extract        information on the driving style of the driver and/or on a        predetermined road journey (for example, if the driver makes the        same journey each day it is possible to extract useful        information about the type of tyre most suited to his or her        requirements);    -   to set a threshold value of this index at which an alarm signal        (e.g. in the form of a luminous or acoustic signal) is activated        which the driver can detect;    -   to calculate an instantaneous index (with a rate of detection of        the signal value instant by instant) and compare it with a        predetermined threshold value so as to provide the driver with        constantly updated information on the event being monitored;    -   to calculate a progressive index of the event (meaning the sum        of the instantaneous indices within a particular interval of        time), and compare it with a predetermined threshold value in        order to alert the driver to the imminence of a dangerous        situation or a reduction in the available margin of safety;    -   to intervene on the vehicle's motion control devices, as        discussed earlier.

A number of examples are given below showing the calculation of indicesassociated with specific events in the movement of a vehicle, and thecorresponding states of stress of the tyre. These are performed on thebasis of the method of detecting and determining the behaviour of a tyreaccording to the invention. All the examples described below refer totests performed on the vehicle and sensor referred to above.

EXAMPLES

First Part

Example 1 Index Representative of the Road Condition

The description of this type of event involves continuous monitoring ofthe surface characteristics of the ground over which the vehicle ismoving, by identifying the presence of macroscopic irregularities, suchas potholes, undulations, breaks in the road surface, and so forth.

The index representing the condition of the road was calculated by:

-   -   acquiring the signal emitted by a sensor in accordance with the        invention in a 6-second time interval and by a sampling rate        (i.e. detecting the instantaneous value of the signal) of 3000        points per second,    -   performing an FFT analysis on the acquired signal to determine        the corresponding spectrum of frequencies;    -   confining this spectrum to the range of frequencies lying        between 0 and 70 Hz,    -   performing the RMS calculation within the abovementioned range        of frequencies.

As indicated, the result of this calculation is a numerical value (orindex) which can be put through one of the operations mentioned earlier,such as for example representing this index as a function of an intervalin space (distance travelled by the vehicle) or in time. It can also becompared with a predetermined threshold value (alarm) definingacceptability of the behaviour of the tyre or vehicle. This provides thedriver with periodical information on the condition of the road and onthe corresponding state of stress of the tyre or vehicle.

Irregularities in the road surface, which are reflected in the signaltransmitted by the sensor, as already explained with reference to FIGS.30 and 31, can be quantified by the abovementioned index For exampleindex L equals smooth road, index I equals uneven road and index Sunmetalled road.

The information summarized in the value assumed by this index can beused by the driver, for example, to avert situations of danger bymodifying his driving behaviour accordingly.

For instance, if the index is close to a predetermined value (thresholdof danger), the driver is informed of the fact that the condition of theroad requires particular care during braking or that the vehicle or mansystem is unusually stressed.

Example 2 Index Representing the Efficiency/Regulation of the Dampers ofa Vehicle

The signal sent by a sensor according to the present invention maycontain anomalous frequencies identifiable as frequencies of resonanceof the vehicle suspensions excited by a rough road surface.

Under normal conditions the vibrations of the suspensions are damped bythe dampers and are therefore of limited magnitude.

However, in the event of malfunction of the dampers, as when they aredischarged, the suspensions vibrate at their own resonant frequencies ina way dissimilar to their normal operation.

The signal emitted by the sensor is modified in consequence and thesevibrations are easily detectable from spectrographic analysis of thesaid signal.

The corresponding index is calculated by:

-   -   acquiring the signal emitted by the sensor over a 6-second time        interval at a sampling rate of 3000 points per second,    -   performing FFT analysis on the acquired signal to determine the        corresponding spectrum of frequencies;    -   confining this spectrum within the range of frequencies lying        between 0 and 20 Hz, and    -   performing the RMS calculation on the above range of        frequencies.

Advantageously, the description of the interaction between road, tyreand dampers-suspensions enables this index to be used to adjust thesuspensions even while the vehicle is moving, if the vehicle is fittedwith “active suspension”.

Example 3 Index Representing the State of Instantaneous Stress of a Tyre

As already indicated and explained above, the signal obtained from asensor according to the invention can also be used to objectivelyanalyse the interaction between the tyre and the contact surface andindicate the state of mechanical stress of the tyre (both instantaneousand progressive) as it moves over the said surface.

In other words the signal obtained from the sensor can be used tomonitor the structural integrity of the tyre.

The progressive state of stress of the tyre, meaning the history of thestresses to which the tyre has been subjected over time, can be used toquantify the total fatigue of the tyre in order to predict its residuallife.

The index representing the state of stress of the tyre was calculatedby:

-   -   continually acquiring (every second) the signal emitted by the        sensor over the time interval of 1 second at a sampling rate of        5000 points per second,    -   performing an FFT analysis on the acquired signal to determine        the corresponding spectrum of frequencies;    -   confining the spectrum to the range of frequencies lying between        0 and 200 Hz, and    -   performing the RMS calculation within the abovementioned range        of frequencies.

The index produced by this method can be compared with an instantaneousthreshold index and/or with an index denoting the maximum admissiblethreshold. The tyre manufacturer will supply these indices directly tothe motor vehicle manufacturers. The index in question is extremelyimportant in the case of tyres being reconstructed in which casingfatigue is a significant factor in deciding whether to go forreconstruction.

Example 4 Index Representing the Available Grip

In accordance with the invention, the Applicant has largely solved theproblem of how to determine in real time the efficiency of a brakingaction if such were applied to a tyre (i.e. the forcible reduction ofits angular velocity).

The efficiency of a braking action is influenced by a countless numberof parameters, the most important of which is the coefficient offriction between the tyre and the contact surface on which it is moving.

However, the coefficient of friction cannot be measured instantaneouslyand cannot be defined a priori because of the fact that it variescontinuously from point to point on the said surface and depends on thecondition (dry, wet, snowy or icy) of the said surface.

Using the invention it has been found how to identify the condition whenthe tyre is at the limit of its grip.

The signal obtained from the sensor has a harmonic content proportionalto the speed of rotation. At the limit of grip, at least some of thetread reliefs (blocks and/or ribs) begin to slip and it has been foundthat a condition of slip between these reliefs and the road generatesvibrations in the frequency range 500 Hz to 1000 Hz, independently ofthe speed of rotation.

These frequencies are contained in the signal emitted by a sensoraccording to the invention. It is therefore possible to detect acondition in which grip is at its limit, in a longitudinal direction(braking or accelerating) sideways (tyre drifting) and in a condition ofcombined stress in both of these directions, by detecting the presence,in the signal, of frequencies lying within the abovementioned range.

The index of available grip was defined by:

-   -   acquiring continually (every second) the signal emitted by the        sensor in the time interval of 1 second at a sampling rate of        4000 points per second,    -   performing an FFT analysis of the acquired signal to determine        the corresponding spectrum of frequencies;    -   confining this spectrum within the range of frequencies of        between 500 and 1000 Hz, and    -   performing the RMS calculation on the abovementioned range of        frequencies.

The index calculated in this way measures the overall magnitude of thevibrations produced by the slipping of the aforementioned tread reliefson the contact surface. The vibrations increase as slip increases. Thegrip index is therefore correlated with slip.

Example 5 Index Representing Tyre Uniformity

A wheel comprising a rim free of structural nonuniformities and a tyrefitted with a sensor according to the invention is rolled on a smoothsurface under predetermined load conditions, at rated operating pressureand at constant speed. By this means the nonuniformities of the tyreitself, due e.g. to its manufacturing process, can thereby be assessed.

This can be done by the method of the invention by performing thefollowing steps:

-   -   acquiring the signal emitted by the sensor in a 6-second time        interval at a sampling rate of 3000 points per second,    -   performing an FFT analysis on the acquired signal to determine        the corresponding spectrum of frequencies;    -   analysing this spectrum by filtering out the harmonics of the        tyre, that is by performing a “harmonic analysis” of the        spectrum in the range lying between the first harmonic and the        twentieth harmonic; and    -   performing the RMS calculation on the abovementioned range of        harmonics.

The above harmonic analysis identifies those specific nonuniformitiesthat generate peaks whose amplitudes cause the tyre's limits ofacceptability, as established by the manufacturer of the tyre and/orvehicle, to be exceeded.

The result of the RMS calculation is therefore an index which can beused to plan the modifications to be made to the tyre in order toeliminate these nonuniformities.

Example 6 Index Representing Tread Wear

Having first selected a reference velocity and a reference journey, suchas 40 km/h along a straight stretch of road at least 200 metres longwith a generally smooth and even surface, at predetermined intervals,(e.g. once a month), a first embodiment of the invention is to perform acomparison (in terms of amplitude and area subtended) between the peaksof the distinctive elements of the signal produced by a sensor of theinvention as the tyre moves along the said stretch of road at theabovementioned speed, and the corresponding peaks of the signal storedin memory during an earlier test carried out in the same way.

A change in the said amplitude and/or in the said subtended areaindicates that tread wear has taken place in the meantime, whereasnonhomogeneous change in one or more of the said peaks (compared withother peaks) indicates the possible presence of uneven tread wear.

Alternately, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, as describedin the previous Example 5, this event can be detected by performing aharmonic analysis of the frequency spectrum extracted by FFT analysis ofthe acquired signal, by analysing the harmonics relating to the pitchesof the tread pattern.

The abovementioned harmonic analysis gives the values of the amplitudesof these harmonics, which are proportional to the thickness of thereliefs (ribs and/or blocks) of the tread pattern and the RMScalculation associates a wear index with the above mentioned values.These values are at their greatest for new tyres and at their lowest forcompletely worn tyres. A threshold value is defined for the wear index,below which the tyre is to be considered as worn and therefore to bereplaced by a new tyre.

Second Part

The information contained in the signal coming from a sensor accordingto the invention fitted to a vehicle wheel is descriptive of variationsin forces and velocities applied to the said wheel.

Depending on the type of event which it is wished to monitor and/orcontrol, it may be necessary to break the said signal down into itscomponents (that is, the above variations in forces and velocities)along three reference axes x, y, z orthogonal to each other, as follows:

-   -   variation of the vertical force ΔFz;    -   variation of the longitudinal force ΔFx;    -   variation of the lateral force ΔFy;    -   variation of the angular velocity Δω.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, this breaking downof the signal is performed on each signal coming from each individualwheel of the vehicle.

In order to be able to calculate the individual components from a globalvalue, such as a single signal emitted by a single sensor, the followingequations describing the dynamics of the vehicle are employed:

-   -   equation describing the transfer of load from one side of the        vehicle to the other;    -   equation describing the transfer of load between the front axle        and the rear axle;    -   equation describing the yawing motion of the vehicle, and    -   equation for motion in a straight line (vertical dynamics of the        vehicle).

For example, if it is wished to obtain the variations in the lateralforce ΔFy during cornering, the procedure is as follows:

-   -   the signals for the four wheels of the vehicle are acquired        (FIG. 41), viz front right (F.R.), front left (F.L.), rear right        (R.R.), rear left (R.L.),    -   each of these signals is analysed by one or more methods        selected from FFT analysis, selection of frequencies in the        spectrum, and RMS calculation; and    -   the RMS values of the front wheels (front axle) are computed        separately from those of the rear wheels (rear axle).

This processing, as can be seen, consists in weighing up the individualcomponents characteristic of the front axle. i.e. the overall RMS valueof the front axle (RMS_FRO), given by the sum of the RMS values of thefront right wheel (RMS_F.R.) and of the front left wheel (RMS₁₃ F.L.),is made equal to the sum of the:

-   -   variations of vertical force on both front wheels (that is,        ΔFz_F.R.+ΔFz_F.L.),    -   variations in the lateral force on both front wheels (that is,        ΔFy_F.R.+ΔFy_F.L.),    -   variations in the longitudinal force on both front wheels (that        is, ΔFx_F.R.+ΔFx_F.L.), and    -   variations in the angular velocity of both front wheels (that        is, Δω_F.R.+Δω_F.L.).

As to the terms of this equation it should be emphasized that:

-   a) the signal analysed is continuous and cyclical, besides being    descriptive of the overall state of stress of the tyre, with periods    equal to one revolution of the wheel. It is possible to calculate    the angular velocity of the wheel by measuring the period of the    signal (hence each wheel revolution—trigger effect), or by analysing    the signal within the period, i.e. before the wheel revolution is    completed. In the latter method, distances between peaks of the    instantaneous signal are compared with the corresponding distances    of a signal relating to a previous period, and from these one can    read the angular velocity even within one wheel revolution: rapid    and sudden changes in the velocity of the wheel can by this means be    assessed. Accordingly, the terms relating to the angular velocities    in the abovementioned equation are known;-   b) when the low-frequency dynamics of the vehicle are ignored,    variations in vertical force are equal and opposite on the wheels of    the same axle, meaning that the algebraic sum of these variations on    each axle is zero;-   c) assuming that, in the example in question, the cornering    manoeuvre is carried out without acceleration or deceleration, the    algebraic sum of the variations of longitudinal force on each axle    is again zero.

Given these premises, in the particular case in question, the equationunder examination is reduced to equality between RMS_FRO and thevariation in lateral force on the front axle. Because RMS_FRO is known(derived from the signal by the method described above), this equationyields the value for the abovementioned variation in lateral force onthe front axle.

For the rear axle the same procedure is followed.

Should the premise stated in point c) not apply, in other words shouldthe cornering manoeuvre be carried out with acceleration ordeceleration, the algebraic sum of the variations of longitudinal forceon each axle is not zero and in order to be able to solve the equationit must be combined with the equation on the yawing motion of thevehicle. By this means it is possible to calculate all the unknowns,i.e. the variations in lateral force and in longitudinal force.

Similarly it is possible to then determine the other variations offorce. For example, in the event that the manoeuvre in question ispurely a matter of acceleration or deceleration, the equation describingthe transfer of load between the rear axle and the front axle is writtenin combination with the yawing equation: this gives the variations inlongitudinal force.

Given below are a number of examples showing the calculation of indicescorrelated with specific events relating to the behaviour of a vehicleon the basis of the method according to the present invention in a casein which it is required to break the signal down into its components, asdescribed above.

Example 7 Index Representing Comfort

In accordance with the invention the characteristics of the signalcoming from a sensor associated with a tyre can be used to objectivelyanalyse the tyre/contact surface interaction and quantify thedisturbance to this interaction for the benefit of the driver of thevehicle and any passengers. In other words one of the items ofinformation contained in the signal is utilized to determine a comfortindex representing the well-being of the occupants of the vehicle.

The index representing comfort was calculated by:

-   -   acquiring the signal emitted by the sensor in a 6-second time        interval at a sampling rate of 3000 points per second,    -   performing FFT analysis on the acquired signal to determine the        corresponding spectrum of frequencies;    -   confining this spectrum to the range of frequencies lying        between 70 and 250 Hz, and    -   performing the RMS calculation on the abovementioned range of        frequencies.

The graph, FIG. 35, shows the frequency spectrum extracted by the FFTanalysis of the signal and identifies the predetermined range offrequencies taken to describe the phenomenon in question. This range wasdivided up with a resolution of 0.5 Hz. The spectrum can also be dividedup on the basis of the frequency bands which characterize thephysiological sensitivity of man as reported in specific internationalstandards (e.g. in standards ISO 2631/1, first edition dated May 15,1985 and 2631/2, first edition dated Feb. 15, 1989).

The procedure for breaking the signal down, as described earlier, iscarried out for each of the lateral, longitudinal and verticaldirections in order to obtain three comfort indices, one for eachreference axis.

In particular, a rectilinear comfort index associated with variations invertical force generated by the characteristics of the contact surface,a cornering comfort index associated with variations in lateral forcegenerated by the behaviour of the vehicle during drift, and alongitudinal-comfort index associated with variations in longitudinalforce generated by the presence of driving or braking torque aredetermined.

It is of course possible to have a “global” comfort index by processingthe signal as in the previous examples, without breaking it down intoits axial components, in which case the index may also refer to a singletyre.

A comfort index obtained by the RMS calculation, according to theinvention, is illustrated in FIGS. 36 and 37.

In detail, these figures show, respectively, the instantaneous comfortindex and the progressive comfort index against time. The progressivecomfort index, read at a given time t₁, represents the summation of allthe comfort indices from time to t₀ to time t₁.

FIG. 38 shows a comparison between the comfort index obtained from asignal relating to a tyre moving over two contact surfaces that are verydifferent from each other.

In detail, the signal 200 in FIG. 38 comes from a sensor according tothe invention associated with the tyre on the front right wheel of theabovementioned car moving in a straight line on asphalt at a speed of 60km/h. This signal, processed by FFT analysis, has yielded a frequencyspectrum 210. Similarly the signal 300 in FIG. 38 comes from anidentical sensor associated with the tyre on the front right wheel ofthe same car moving in a straight line on paving blocks at a speed of 60km/h. This signal, processed by FFT analysis, has yielded the frequencyspectrum 310. The RMS calculation conducted on the spectra 210 and 310has produced the respective comfort indices indicated at 220 and 320. Ifthe optimal comfort index is set at 100, the result is a comfort indexof 70 for the vehicle on asphalt and a comfort index of 30 for thevehicle moving on paving blocks.

It should be noticed that it was decided to use a convention whereby thelower the comfort index the lower the comfort.

It is possible to set a threshold value for the comfort index with whichthe driver can compare himself instant by instant or at predeterminedintervals of time.

This threshold index can be set by the driver himself or be defined bydividing drivers up into a number of groups characterized by differentdriving habits: for example, it is likely that this threshold value mayin fact be very different between individuals used to long journeys andindividuals who use the car only rarely.

In addition, the progressive comfort index, if calculated from thebeginning of the journey, can express the physical fatigue of the driveraccumulated over the course of the journey and its comparison with apredetermined threshold index can advise the driver when to stop withoutjeopardizing his safety and that of the passengers. In this way thenecessity of a break is not related to the number of miles actuallytravelled but to the physical fatigue of the driver, since a road thatis disjointed and taxing to negotiate induces greater tiredness than astraight road under good conditions.

In accordance with the invention the comfort index can be used tooperate vehicle control devices, such as the suspensions, by varyingtheir stiffness to suit the condition of the road and/or the preferencesof the driver.

Third Part

It has been found that, depending on the type of event being monitored,the above spectral frequency analysis (FFT) may be unnecessary.

For instance, if the magnitude of the event considered is related to theamplitude of the signal supplied by the sensor of the invention, ananalysis of this signal against time is sufficient.

This variant of the invention only includes the stage of processing thesignal by the RMS calculation explained earlier.

A number of examples are given below showing the determination ofindices correlated with specific events relating to the behaviour of avehicle on the basis of this variant of the invention.

Example 8 Index Representing the Phenomenon of Aquaplaning

In aquaplaning conditions, for a given speed of advance of the vehicle,the water that strikes the surface of the tyre reaches a hydraulicpressure equal to that which the tyre exchanges with the contact surfaceover which it is moving.

This means that the water building up under the footprint of the tyretends to lift the tyre (hydraulic thrust) and reduce the portion of tyrein contact with the said surface, in other words the footprint areadiminishes.

To monitor this event requires the use of at least one sensor of theinvention fitted to at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle,because it is the front wheels that first develop the aquaplaningphenomenon.

The amplitude of the signals coming from the sensors depends on theinteraction between the tyre and the road and hence also on thedimensions of the footprint of the tyre. During aquaplaning the lattertends to reduce as the phenomenon increases, and hence the amplitude ofthe signal reduces.

Therefore, under aquaplaning conditions, it is important to monitor theamplitude of the signals coming from the front wheels: in particular itis important to monitor the gradient (i.e. the variation over time) ofthis amplitude.

The gradient increases as the severity of the phenomenon increases.

The RMS processing referred to above, directly applied to the signalemitted by the sensor, produces an aquaplaning index which, in much thesame way as already described, can be processed by one of the operationscited in the previous examples.

In particular, having defined an event threshold index, it is possibleto compare the instantaneously calculated index with the said thresholdindex and so alert the driver to the likelihood of imminent aquaplaning:in which event it would be advisable to reduce the speed of the vehicle.

Once again, the instantaneous index can be used to regulate and/orintervene automatically on the relevant control systems of the vehicle(ABS and the like).

Example 9 Index Representing Tyre Deflation

If a tyre is inflated at normal operating pressure and moving over thecontact surface under predetermined standard conditions, the sensor ofthe invention will generate a periodic signal, with a periodicity equalto one revolution of the wheel which has a well-defined shape depending,in particular, on the characteristics of the tyre itself.

FIG. 33 illustrates the signal obtained from a sensor of the inventionassociated with the front right wheel of the above-mentioned vehicle asit moves along a straight path on a basically smooth and even surface ata speed of 60 km/h. The shape of the signal, especially the amplitude ofthe distinctive elements of this signal, over the time intervalconsidered (0.5 sec), reflects this condition.

In the event of deflation, the shape of this graph changes profoundly,as illustrated in FIG. 34, which shows the signal generated by the samewheel as in FIG. 33, moving under the same conditions of travel, with aninflation pressure equal to 50% of the normal operating pressure.

Even in this event the signal generated by the sensor of the presentinvention can still be used, in particular by RMS calculation, to find adescriptive index, instant by instant, of the state of inflation of atyre. Advantageously, after having predetermined a threshold index, itis possible to generate, by means of a comparison of the threshold indexwith the instantaneous index, a specific signal, such as an alarm, whichis then sent to the driver of the vehicle to alert him to the partial ortotal deflation of the tyre.

It should be emphasized that knowledge of this instantaneous indexenables automatic adjustment and/or intervention to be applied to thevehicle control systems and/or restoration of the inflation pressure ofthe tyres on the moving vehicle.

Example 10 Index Representing Roadholding in a Straight Line

Roadholding in a straight line is expressed as the variation of thedynamic vertical load on a wheel of a given moving vehicle. The smallerthis variation in vertical dynamic load when the operating conditionschange, the greater the roadholding of the tyre fitted to the saidwheel. In other words, the tyre that tends to lift the least as it movesover a contact surface is the one that has the best roadholdingcharacteristics.

The index of this event, representing the variation in vertical loadthat occurs on the said wheel, can be calculated as described in theprevious Examples 6 and 7 and, by analogy with the accounts givenrepeatedly with reference to other cases, can be used if necessary toadjust automatic vehicle control devices.

Fourth Part

It has been found that, even when the determination of the event,relative to its type, can be limited to an analysis of the variation ofa signal generated by a sensor of the invention as a function of time,it may be necessary and/or advisable to break the signal down into itsaxial components, as described previously.

This variant of the invention comprises only the processing ofindividual components of the signal by the RMS calculation referred toabove.

There now follows a number of examples showing the calculation ofindices relating to specific events in the behaviour of a vehicle on thebasis of this variant of the invention.

Example 11 Index Representing the Transfer of Vertical Load

The information on the transfer of vertical load is obtainable bysimultaneously analysing variations in the vertical force component(load) contained in signals coming from sensors of the inventionassociated with at least one pair of wheels of the said vehicle.

Because the amplitude of this component depends on the vertical load oneach wheel, it is observed during events such as travelling around acurve, braking and accelerating, that the amplitude of the signalincreases on the more heavily loaded wheels during the event in questionand becomes less on the other wheels.

This event can easily be distinguished from an increase in the amplitudeof the signal caused by an increase in speed: by comparing together thesignals of a moving vehicle (travelling in a straight line at a constantspeed) at a velocity v₁ and subsequently, at a velocity v₂>v₁, it willbe seen that the greater amplitude of the signals, when considering avehicle moving at velocity v₂ as compared with the same vehicle movingat velocity v₁, occurs in all wheels simultaneously, since all four aresupplying the same speed information.

FIGS. 39 and 40 show the sequence of operations necessary to calculatethe index of transfer of load in the cases of a vehicle turning towardsthe right and towards the left, respectively.

In more detail, in accordance with the abovementioned variant of theinvention, FIG. 39 shows the amplitude against time of the signals 410and 420 coming from a front right tyre and front left tyre,respectively, moving at a speed of 110 km/h on a path curving towardsthe right. The signal 420, compared with the signal 410, exhibits agreater amplitude than the latter, demonstrating that when turningtowards the right it is the front left tyre that comes under greateststress.

FIG. 39 shows the value of the difference, obtained by the RMScalculation, between the signal coming from a sensor of the inventionassociated with the front right wheel, on the one hand, and that from asimilar sensor associated with the front left wheel, on the other, andthis corresponds to the index of the transfer of load associated withthis event. In particular, if 100 is the optimal index of transfer ofload, the reference index 430 shown in FIG. 39 is equal to 70.

In the same way as in FIG. 39, FIG. 40 shows the amplitude against timeof the signals 510 and 520 coming from a sensor of the inventionassociated with the front right tyre, on the one hand, and from asimilar sensor associated with the front left tyre, on the other, of theabovementioned vehicle travelling at a speed of 110 km/h on a pathcurving towards the left. In this case the signal 510, when comparedwith the signal 520, exhibits a greater amplitude than the latter,confirming that when turning left, the tyre under greatest stress is thefront right tyre.

FIG. 40 shows the value of the difference, obtained by the RMScalculation, between the respective signals 510 and 520, whichcorresponds to the index of the transfer of load associated with thisevent. In particular, if 100 is the optimal index of transfer of load,the reference index 530 in FIG. 40 is equal to 50.

Example 12 Index Representing Stress from Torque

A signal from a sensor of the invention generated as the torque appliedto a moving wheel varies exhibits sudden variations, in time, in thedistance between the various distinctive elements of the signal, owingto the changing speed of the wheel as it goes through a series oflongitudinal accelerations and decelerations of the vehicle. Theseaccelerations and decelerations are troublesome for the driver of thevehicle and for any passengers.

Once again, in accordance with the present invention, by using the RMScalculation it is possible to obtain an index that describes the event(accelerations and decelerations in the longitudinal direction, i.e.along the x axis) which can be compared, if required, with apredetermined threshold index, as described above in relation to theother types of event.

1. A system for determining interaction between a tyre and a contactsurface during movement of a motor vehicle, comprising: at least onefirst sensor; processing means; wherein the at least one first sensorcomprises one or more first elongated piezoelectric elements, whereinthe one or more first elongated piezoelectric elements extend along atleast a first portion of the tyre, wherein the at least one first sensorsupplies a first signal to the processing means, wherein the firstsignal is generated by rotation of the tyre, wherein the first signal isgenerated cyclically with each revolution of the tyre, wherein theprocessing means detects variations in time intervals betweendistinctive elements of the first signal, and wherein the tyrecomprises: a casing; a tread; one or more belt plies; sidewalls; andbeads.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal isproportional to variations of deformation undergone by the at least onefirst sensor during the rotation of the tyre.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the at least one first sensor is disposed along at least aportion of a predetermined circumference of the tyre.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the predetermined circumference is an equatorialcircumference.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one firstsensor is disposed along a portion of a meridian profile of the tyre. 6.The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor is disposedon an inner surface of the casing.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein theat least one first sensor is embedded in the casing, in the tread, inthe one or more belt plies, or in a bead.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the system further comprises at least one second sensor,comprising: a second elongated piezoelectric element; wherein the secondelongated piezoelectric element extends along at least a second portionof the tyre, wherein the second sensor supplies a second signal to theprocessing means, wherein the second signal is generated by rotation ofthe tyre, wherein the second signal is generated cyclically with eachrevolution of the tyre, wherein the processing means detects variationsin time intervals between distinctive elements of the second signal. 9.The system of claim 8, wherein the second signal is proportional tovariations of deformation undergone by the second sensor during therotation of the tyre.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the secondsensor is disposed along at least a portion of a circumference formingpart of one of the beads.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the secondsensor is disposed along a bead portion of a meridian profile of thetyre.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensorand the second sensor are coaxial piezoelectric cables.
 13. The systemof claim 12, wherein the coaxial piezoelectric cables comprise: acentral core; an insulating layer; a mesh wrapping; and a sheath;wherein the central core comprises a first electrically-conductingmaterial, wherein the insulating layer comprises a piezoelectricpolymer, and wherein the mesh wrapping comprises a secondelectrically-conducting material.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein theat least one first sensor comprises a cable, comprising: piezoelectricportions; and non-piezoelectric, electrically-conducting portions;wherein the piezoelectric portions are electrically connected to thenon-piezoelectric portions.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein thepiezoelectric portions and the non-piezoelectric portions areelectrically-connected in an alternating sequence.
 16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the piezoelectric portions and the non-piezoelectricportions comprise a zigzag configuration.
 17. The system of claim 15,wherein the piezoelectric portions and the non-piezoelectric portionsare aligned.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the cable comprises: acentral conducting core; tubular portions of piezoelectric insulatingmaterial; tubular portions of non-piezoelectric insulating material; anelectrically-conducting mesh wrapping; and a sheath; wherein the tubularportions of piezoelectric insulating material and tubular portions ofnon-piezoelectric insulating material are disposed around the core in analternating sequence.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the at leastone first sensor is disposed in an annular groove recessed into ashoulder of a rim of the tyre, and wherein the at least one first sensorremains in contact with an outer surface of a respective bead.
 20. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein the at least one first sensor is disposed ina shoulder of a rim of the tyre, wherein the at least one first sensorcomprises sections sensitive to deformation of a respective bead,wherein the sensitive sections are disposed on an inner side of theshoulder of the rim, wherein the at least one first sensor comprisessections not sensitive to deformation of the respective bead, whereinthe non-sensitive sections are disposed on an outer side of the shoulderof the rim, and wherein the sensitive and non-sensitive sections aredisposed in an alternating sequence.
 21. The system of claim 20, whereina radio signal transmitter is disposed on the shoulder of the rim.
 22. Asystem for continuous determination of interactions between a tyre and acontact surface during movement of a motor vehicle, comprising: a tyre;at least one sensor; and processing means; wherein the at least onesensor comprises one or more elongated piezoelectric elements, whereinthe one or more elongated piezoelectric elements extend along at least aportion of the tyre, wherein the at least one sensor supplies a signalto the processing means, wherein the signal is generated by rotation ofthe tyre, wherein the signal is generated cyclically with eachrevolution of the tyre, wherein the processing means detects variationsin time intervals between distinctive elements of the signal.